The race for the DPG Chairmanship

Soon there will be a election to determine who will be the next chairman of the Georgia Democratic Party.

There has been some indications that Jane Kidd, current chairwoman of the party might run again.

Then there was State Senator Robert Brown who openly suggested that he'll support former Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond for the job.

Then there GADCC president Mike Berlon who has been endorsed by Carol Porter, who Berlon worked as campaign manager.

There likely will be more names to come to the surface as Januray approaches.

Over the last couple of days I have brought up the names of Former Macon Mayor, Congressman & Vietnam Veteran Jim Marshall & former Ray City Mayor, USAF & Gulf War Veteran Carl Camon as possible contenders for the job.

Its time for the party to go outside the box & select someone who's not tied to the establishment, nor the current regime up on Spring Street.

The person has to be able t0 (1) Raise Cash (2) Build & Organize a Democratic Grassroots Organization Statewide (3) Usher in new people with fresh ideas & a vision for the future of the party & so on...........

One person who would fit that bill is Ted Terry of Savannah, who is the Finance Director for Congressman John Barrow & a former DNC Member who helped Organize Democrats on the ground in Georgia. He has worked on four consecutive winning campaigns for Barrow over in the conservative-leaning 12th District

Gen. David Poythress is also someone who would be a great fit at the job. He has a track record of turning around troubled organizations such as the Georgia National Guard, the Labor Commissioner's Office, etc. He ran a strong grassroots campaign, receiving donations from all of Georgia's 159 counties. He is a strong leader & would immediatelt command the respect of those inside the party & most definitely rock the boat at Spring Street.

But we won't know until its time to elect new party officers for the party, so stay tuned!

What Now for the Georgia Democratic Party?

I knew it was going to be a tough road for democrats last night, but not at the level I witnessed.



Democrats here bet the entire farm on this election & got swept. Zero Dems hold statewide offices.



Lost two formerly held democratic seats, HD 176 & HD 143. Only gained four seats out of a dozen races that fielded democratic challenges. Zero gains in the State Senate. Zip. Nada. Nil'.



There is no way to go but up, but its going to have to start at the state party, where the entire structure needs to be overhauled, or blown up & then start anew with new fresh faced, energetic leaders who will bring the party back to its roots & separate themselves from the National Democrats for good.



And to use the words of Patrick Davis, the party needs a stronger focus in developing the party in areas SOUTH of Macon. Areas such as Swainsboro, Statesboro, Moultrie, Ocilla, Waycross, Cordele, Dublin, Douglas, and Vienna. In addition, there has to be a better media strategy in these areas which lacks media.. The Dems got to do a better job of educating and SUPPORTING fellow Dems...



That is absolutely true!



Jane Kidd was elected in 2006 pledging to implement a 159 county strategy. Haven't seen it. Under her watch, democrats haven't won any statewide races, didn't made any significant gains in the State Legislature & in the process, lost more seats that they gained.



She's a nice lady & I was a supporter of hers, but as that old saying goes: "What have you done for me lately", well nothing. Its time to go!



Next the leadership in the House & Senate needs to change.



DuBose Porter left his seat to run for governor, so he won't be apart of the leadership once the legislature reconvenes. Carolyn Hughley, Calvin Smyre & others leaders of the house caucus has to go.



Same goes for the senate. Robert Brown is all but likely to run for Mayor of Macon next year, so it maybe time to replace as minority leader. JB Powell is no loner in the mix having waged a unsuccessful bid at Agriculture Commissioner, Tim Golden is Caucus chair & he maybe in line to become minority leader of the senate democrats.



Here's who I would like to see in these positions when the legislative session begins in 2011



Minority Leader: Alan Powell (D-Hartwell)

Minority Whip: Debbie Buckner (D-Junction City)

Caucus Chair: Mike Cheokas (D-Americus)

Caucus Vice Chair: Stacey Abrams (D-Atlanta)

Caucus Secretary: Stephanie Stuckey-Benfield (D-Atlanta)





Minority Leader: Tim Golden (D-Valdosta)

Minority Whip: Lester Jackson (D-Savannah)

Asst. Minority Whip: Steve Henson (D-Tucker)

Caucus Chair: Hardie Davis (D-Augusta)

Caucus Vice-Chair: Freddie Powell Sims (D-Dawson)

Caucus Secretary: Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta)



As for who should run for Chairman of the Georgia Democratic Party, here are some names who should or ought to be considered:

Jim Marshall political veteran who have written the playbook on how to win elections in rural Georgia. A conservative democrat, he has familiarity with small town Georgia & would be able to bring centrist/conservative white voters back to the democratic party as well as those Zell Miller Democrats back to the fold. He could move the party back to the days of David Gambrell (70-71) & Bert Lance (82-85), past chairman of the Georgia Democratic Party. He could run the party until possibly 2014 when he may run for office again, (Governor or US Senate)



Carl Camon. Camon is what I call "New Blood" the party needs to help reinvigorate themselves if they are to be competitive in the future. He wrote a great piece called" Is the Democratic Party losing its Democracy". He hails from South Georgia & would bring a new perspective to the party, as well as build up the grassroots base of the party in South Georgia. Don't close the door on Camon for office in the future

Carol Porter. Porter came out of nowhere to run a flawless campaign for Lt Governor. She went from a neophyte to legitimate contender over night with her rousing speech in pace of her husband, State Rep DuBose Porter at a Small Business meeting in the spring. She has brought new life to the party with her passionate speeches & her ability to draw support from republicans as well. She may well run for office again, but who knows.



Darkhorse Candidates



Ted Terry, Finance Director for John Barrow & former Ground Organizer for Democrats in Georgia

Graham Balch, former campaign manager for JB Powell

Quentin Howell, ex-candidate for HD 141 & Small Business Owner


Or there maybe a need for another democratic party that is geared more to the rural areas of the state, more toward voters who are more conservative than the more liberal counterparts. I wouldn't rule it out!